The Armed Forces of Nigerian (AFN) has condemned the killing of five of its soldiers who were killed on Thursday by elements suspected to be enforcers of the May 30th sit-at-home declared all over the South East by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said in a statement on Friday that there would be retaliation and that the Nigerian military would respond with overwhelming force.
The sit-at-home was declared by IPOB to mark the declaration of Biafra in 1967 and also to mourn thousands of Igbos who were killed in the three-year civil war and the events preceding it.
Declaring that “the military would be fierce in its response” over the killings, an angry General Buba said in the statement: “Troops of OP UDO KA deployed at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis in Abia State were attacked and sadly killed by terrorist of IPOB/ ESN.
“The troops deployed to enforce peace in the area and protect the citizens were massed attacked by the terrorist. The terrorist in 3 tinted Prado Toyota SUVs and others from builtup areas surrounding the checkpoint, sprang a surprise attack on the checkpoint.
“The attack sadly took the lives of 5 personnel of the armed forces killed in action.
“The armed forces mourns the death of these troops as each and every soldier lost in battle is a terrible loss. Meanwhile, investigation are ongoing concerning the attack.
“Overall, it must be reiterated that the lifeline of the terrorist is the people and this situation is no exemption. Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible. The IPOB capitalised on this to perpetrate attacks on the troops. The situation leaves more to be desired.
“Accordingly, it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops.
“The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat”, General Buba warned.
However, unconfirmed reports said that three of the five soldiers killed were from Abia State. One of them, Captain Lucky Ikpeama, hails from same Local Government as Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.